by Ashwini Rao, Board Member
Anthony Hernandez was appointed to the Board this summer when Michael Chronister resigned from his seat. Anthony chose to run for one of the open seats in the October Board election and was elected. I asked him a few questions so Owners could get to know him a little better.
What was your first memory of Willy Street Co-op?
I first shopped at the main Willy Street Co-op on Williamson Street as a graduate student. I ran into a friend from school on that visit and we had a nice conversation in the Produce section.
How did you first learn about cooperatives, and what was the first co-op you joined?
I first learned about cooperatives when I was an undergraduate student in Boston. I became a member of the local cooperative in Allston.
What do you rely on Willy Street Co-op for? How would you describe the Co-op to someone who has never been/a potential new member?
I’m a big, big fan of the Bulk section. There, I fill up on beans and lentils, nuts and seeds, and grains. It is located next to my second favorite part of the Co-op, the Produce section.
What are your top three favorite Willy Street Co-op foods?
My first stop is usually to pick up the shredded cabbage mix in the Produce section. In the bulk foods area, my favorite item is vanilla almond granola. I’ve also said often and loudly that the vegan nothing muffin in the bakery section is undefeated. I have to give a special mention to La Perla tortillas. I’ve been eating tortillas all of my life. These high-quality tortillas taste as delicious and authentic as any I’ve ever enjoyed.
Do you have any favorite food traditions?
We have an annual Tamalada event in our family. It is a holiday celebration where our extended family gets together to produce large quantities of tamales. (We know from historians that our ancestors, the Aztecs, had a tradition of making tamales as far back as 7,000 B.C.). In current times, the joy of making delicious treats during the Tamalada is to both engage in intergenerational storytelling and pass along recipes of our traditional foods. While we enjoy making delicious food for our family, we also find joy in sharing tamales with our good friends. Just recently I rented out the Willy Street Co-op West community room on a weekday afternoon so that we could host our Tamalada. It was a great venue for the family event. We had a great time making all sorts of tamales.
Besides being a Willy Street
Co-op Board member, what else do you like to do with your time?
I have always worked to help aspiring college students find their way to college acceptance and successful workforce transitions. I have long served as a mentor to undergraduate and high school students through a variety of nonprofit organizations. Helping students and their families understand the value proposition and opportunities in education has always been a real passion. I also want to make sure they stay clear of any costly pitfalls. I have been inspired to share the good news about education because I recognize the transformative role it has played in my own life story.
What are you most excited about in being a new Board member, and what do you see as the biggest opportunities and challenges the Co-op will face over the next few years?
I had served on several committees at Willy Street Co-op before arriving at the interim and current Board member positions. It has really been inspiring over the years to work with so many committed people in different parts of the Co-op. Undoubtedly, the sense of community and genuine concern for others that is fostered in the culture at Willy Street Co-op is a source of real strength. I think our big opportunity is to continue to share that light with broader groups of stakeholders.
Is there anything else you’d like our Owners to know?
I’m an animal lover. I recently earned a whole foods, plant-based nutrition certification. My favorite vegan hot sandwich is the “no harm chickn parm.”